Optical module and method for manufacturing the optical

Abstract

In an optical module such as an optical branching and multiplexing device used in an optical communication system, optical waveguides are formed on a surface of an optical waveguide substrate and optical fibers are held by arranging guide grooves on an optical fiber arranging substrate. The optical waveguide substrate has positioning guide grooves which can engage with the arranging guide grooves. The pitch of the optical waveguides on end faces of the optical waveguide substrate coincide with the pitch of the arranging guide grooves, so that the optical fibers and the optical waveguides are coupled accurately without any adjustment.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for manufacturing optical modules comprising the steps of: forming at least one positioning guide groove on a first surface of an optical waveguide substrate using a first die;   forming optical waveguides for effecting predetermined functions on a second surface opposing to said first surface of said optical waveguide substrate;   forming arranging guide grooves, with which said positioning groove of said optical waveguide substrate is engaged and on which optical fibers are arranged and fixed, on a surface of an optical fiber arranging substrate using a second die; and   fixing said optical waveguide substrate on said optical fiber arranging substrate;   wherein a first pitch of said optical waveguides on end faces of said optical waveguide substrate coincides with a second pitch of said arranging guide grooves of said optical fiber arranging substrate.   
     
     
       2. The method for manufacturing optical modules according to claim 1, wherein the same die comprises said first die and said second die so that said at least one positioning guide groove of said optical waveguide substrate and said arranging guide grooves of said optical fiber arranging substrate are respectively formed by the same die. 
     
     
       3. The method for manufacturing optical modules according to claim 2, wherein said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber arranging substrate are cut from a first substrate formed by same said die. 
     
     
       4. A method for manufacturing optical modules comprising the steps of: forming at least one positioning guide groove on a first surface of an optical waveguide substrate;   forming optical waveguides for effecting predetermined functions on a second surface opposing to said first surface of said optical waveguide substrate, said optical waveguides being formed wherein grooves of a predetermined pattern are formed on said second surface of said optical waveguide substrate by a die;   directly fixing a transparent substrate made of glass or resin to said optical waveguide substrate by a heat treatment or adhesive bonding;   forming arranging guide grooves, with which said positioning groove of said optical waveguide substrate is engaged and on which optical fibers are arranged and fixed, on a surface of an optical fiber arranging substrate using a second die; and   fixing said optical waveguide substrate on said optical fiber arranging substrate;   wherein a first pitch of said optical waveguides on end faces of said optical waveguide substrate coincides with a second pitch of said arranging guide of said optical fiber arranging substrate.   
     
     
       5. A method for manufacturing optical modules comprising the steps of: forming at least one positioning guide groove on a first surface of an optical waveguide substrate and forming optical waveguides for effecting predetermined functions on a second surface opposing to said first surface of said optical waveguide substrate, said optical waveguides and said positioning groove being formed by dies at the same time;   forming arranging guide grooves, with which said positioning groove of said optical waveguide substrate is engaged and on which optical fibers are arranged and fixed, on a surface of an optical fiber arranging substrate; and   fixing said optical waveguide substrate on said optical fiber arranging substrate;   wherein a first pitch of said optical waveguides on end faces of said optical waveguide substrate coincides with a second pitch of said arranging guide grooves of said optical fiber arranging substrate.   
     
     
       6. A method for manufacturing optical modules comprising the steps of: forming at least one positioning guide groove on a first surface of an optical waveguide substrate;   forming optical waveguides for effecting predetermined functions on a second surface opposing to said first surface of said optical waveguide substrate, said optical waveguides being directly formed on said second surface of said optical waveguide substrate by one of ion exchange, flame deposition, chemical vapor deposition and sol-gel transformation;   forming arranging guide grooves, with which said positioning groove of said optical waveguide substrate is engaged and on which optical fibers are arranged and fixed, on a surface of an optical fiber arranging substrate; and   fixing said optical waveguide substrate on said optical fiber arranging substrate;   wherein a first pitch of said optical waveguides on end faces of said optical waveguide substrate coincides with a second pitch of said arranging guide grooves of said optical fiber arranging substrate.   
     
     
       7. A method for manufacturing optical modules comprising the steps of: forming at least one positioning guide groove on a first surface of an optical waveguide substrate;   forming optical waveguides for effecting predetermined functions on a second surface opposing to said first surface of said optical waveguide substrate;   forming arranging guide grooves, with which said positioning groove of said optical waveguide substrate is engaged and on which optical fibers are arranged and fixed, on a surface of an optical fiber arranging substrate; and   fixing said optical waveguide substrate on said optical fiber arranging substrate, said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber arranging substrate being fixed together by one of thermosetting resin adhesive, ultraviolet light curing resin, solder, and low melting point glass;   wherein a first pitch of said optical waveguides on end faces of said optical waveguide substrate coincides with a second pitch of said arranging guide grooves of said optical fiber arranging substrate.   
     
     
       8. A method for manufacturing optical modules comprising the steps of: forming at least one positioning guide groove on a first surface of an optical waveguide substrate;   forming optical waveguides for effecting predetermined functions on a second surface opposing to said first surface of said optical waveguide substrate;   forming arranging guide grooves, with which said positioning groove of said optical waveguide substrate is engaged and on which optical fibers are arranged and fixed, on a surface of an optical fiber arranging substrate;   forming at least one positioning mark, used for mounting at least one electric element, on at least one of said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber arranging substrate, said positioning mark being formed by a die, said positioning mark having a shape selected to be convex, concave, or a combination of convex and concave; and   fixing said optical waveguide substrate on said optical fiber arranging substrate;   wherein a first pitch of said optical waveguides on end faces of said optical waveguide substrate coincides with a second pitch of said arranging guide grooves of said optical fiber arranging substrate.